Vanderjagt stays home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kicker Mike Vanderjagt was not on the Cowboys charter that arrived here earlier tonight, according to dallascowboys.com.

Bill Parcells said last week he was probably going to keep Vanderjagt home and suit up Shaun Suisham. It’s a gamble because Suisham, a second-year player, attempted only four field goals last season, with three coming from 20-29 yards out. Plus, the forecast calls for intermittent showers tomorrow afternoon.

No restaurant visits tonight. Too tired and too into the UT-Ohio State game. (The Buckeyes just went up 17-7.) Plus, I remember how tough it was to find any place good during the Super Bowl two years ago. Tried the Marriott Jacksonville’s room service instead and was pleased with my grilled Atlantic salmon and shrimp. I’m happy to report the salmon was fresh and flaky. Perfect.

Paid a visit to the Cowboys media hospitality lounge earlier tonight to pick up my credential and parking pass. Everyone was sitting around watching college football. I remember back in the 1980s, the lounge was quite different. Back in those days, the smoke was thick and the booze flowed freely. There’s still booze, but the crowd isn’t the same. Back in those days, the likes of Dan Cook, Blackie Sherrod and Frank Luksa dominated the room. It’s much tamer now.

Back to the Cowboys. Parcells also has decided not to play first-round draft pick Bobby Carpenter, the former Ohio State standout. Carpenter was an outside linebacer in the 4-3 in college. Now the Cowboys are trying to make him an inside linebacker in the 3-4. It’s a tough transition, and his head is spinning. But that’s not the only reason he’ll have to wait to make his pro debut. Parcells wants undrafted rookie linebacker Oliver Hoyte on the punt and kickoff coverage teams. Hoyte is a demon on special teams and that will be important tomorrow because Jacksonville has strong return teams.

Speaking of linebackers, I wonder how much sleep defensive end-turned-outside linebacker Greg Ellis will get tonight. The Jaguars are expected to use a lot of three-receiver sets in an effort to get Ellis mismatched with a receiver in the slot. I think Ellis will be just fine. But I also wouldn’t be surprised if defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer uses his nickel package quite a bit to ease the pressure on Ellis.

There was a lot of talk this week about how the Cowboys would handle the Florida heat Sunday. Well, the high tomorrow is supposed to be 83, so I’d say they will do just fine.